Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 117 Entries. Saturday, May 17 View Page It looks like another season is beginning so time to get the old diary going. The Dyberry patch gang is eager and chomping at the bit to get going. It seems they are leaving me in the dust this year. My old Statesman Rototiller may have tilled its last soil as it is now back in the shop with a bleak prognosis... we shall see. I hear rumor that Dyberry Andy's fancy tractor, plow and tiller has been humming and churning up sod from Dybberry to Honesdale. Andy and George scheduled a new growers seminar to brag a bit and let everyone know how good they are getting at growing pumpkins. Two major networks showed up and it was quite a circus.. The two really put on a show.   Saturday, May 17 View Page They hired cheerleaders...a band..and spared nothing. A good crowd showed up as well.   Saturday, May 17 View Page I am in my own little corner it seems... the best I could do was hand dig some planting spots to get the root bound plants in the ground. Winter didn't want to leave this year but finally it is warming up. I have a mixture of some of my seeds and some chosen ones. Selecting a seed with good genetics has gotten a lot easier.. there are so many good ones out there. I am planting another of my 942.5's. ( 1662 Stelts x 1495 Stelts); Its proven to be orange and shapely and plan on giving it more room this year to see what it can do. I have 2 in the ground with the strongest to survive.   Saturday, May 17 View Page I normally somehow mangage to kill my young plants and traditionally the backups are needed. So I won't jinx myself by posting any lineup until I know they are on their way. Andy and I are both in the Bubba challenge and I can report the 1317 Tiny's are in the ground. My backups are looking better than the first string.   Saturday, May 17 View Page With Andy, George and TC Flyboy going all out to grow the biggest pumpkin this year I have to be on my guard. They have been quite secretive and I am becoming suspicious. I have hired Alex to keep a look on our patch just in case they attempt a sneak attack to do me harm. Its war this year.   Saturday, May 17 View Page May the best grower win the challenge.. may everyone have a personal best and if not so what... may everyone have lots of happy memories and enjoy the ride. My twins Alex and Laurn and Andy's son Noah are in their final year of high school so its gonna be full speed ahead for them and a hectic summer for us all. Lauren gave me a wonderful gift that she made in school I suspect I can put it to good use this summer... Stay tuned.   Wednesday, June 4 View Page I need to get some pics on here to be able to compare for future seasons. We had a memorial day pumpkin party at the site of Dyberry Patch Andy to kick off the season... our newbie Tom gave us some grief about making it up so we were having some fun while keeping some of our secrets from him... all in good fun.   Wednesday, June 4 View Page He tried to get some information out of George..   Wednesday, June 4 View Page tried to call someone he met at Robas.. who gave him some growing information..   Wednesday, June 4 View Page In the end he gave up and just decided to have a cold one.. we will help him out along the way.. don't worry TC.   Wednesday, June 4 View Page It has been a pretty typical start to another pumpkin season.. Andy's plants are looking good and ahead of mine and TC's... Not sure if its the soil.. his well tilled patch.. the amount of sunshine or what be he always seems to vault ahead in the early days... ( and seems to stay there ! )   Wednesday, June 4 View Page He has quite a lineup in his main section.. I wouldn't be surprised to see something very big come from Dyberry this year.. Here is a pic of his entry in the Bubba Challenge.. The 1317 Clementz is looking good.. "Go Tiny".   Wednesday, June 4 View Page In keeping with tradition and just in case those Sayre growers are following along.. Andy lined one up and blew some smoke Rocky's way... hope you are in the patch Rocky!! good luck to ya.   Wednesday, June 4 View Page It was a good weekend.. full of pumpkin talk.. good food and good friends.. even the Junior division was talking pumpkin... or maybe how nuts they think their fathers are.   Wednesday, June 4 View Page I asked Alex and Lauren if they thought that I should snap chat, or send a tweet or insta something to the rest of their friends about what a good time pumpkin growing is... not sure what they said but don't think it was good.   Wednesday, June 4 View Page I have 2 patches going again this year... some at my house and a couple at my moms original patch.. with the twins graduating this summer and planning big things ahead it will be good to keep busy in the patch this year. I too have a 1317 "Tiny" Clementz at my moms.. its alive and green and doing ok.. just needs to take off now.   Wednesday, June 4 View Page My second plant there...is one of my 218's that I know grow flame orange ones.. I didn't grow one last year and since it germinated for me I don't want to waste it.. Maybe I can find a HD contest somewhere to contend in. My home site is looking better thanks to Andy and George letting me borrow their old Troy built tiller.. Pics to follow soon.. good luck all.   Friday, June 27 View Page The weather has improved in northeastern PA so hopefully the plants will keep their improved growth rates and some early July Pollinations will be in order with maybe a few at the end of June. One of my best plants is off of my 942.5. It will have more room this year so I am hoping for something good.   Friday, June 27 View Page I have done it again !! I put two plants side by side with the good intentions of pulling one.. but now the two are neck and neck and the healthiest looking ones in my patch.. sooooooooo again I am not going to allow one to reach its full potential but have decided to do some creative pruning.. combining a flag pattern and pitchfork approach to grow a pumpkin on each of them. Going for quantity instead of quality with these two.. maybe I will find a buyer at the end of the season and I will have the enjoyment of watching both of them grow.. they both should be orange pumpkins. My 440 is in front and the 1544 Revier is in the back.. I know what everyone must be thinking but I didn't have the heart to pull the 440. It grows beautifully shaped orange fruit and my last one was a late grower measuring 1000 pounds and had a long way to grow when I cut it.. we shall see.   Friday, June 27 View Page I spent some time with Andy at the Dyberry patch.. he has his plants looking good and ready to rumble.   Friday, June 27 View Page The Dyberry patch is home to lots of good cameraderie and a little pumpkin talk here and there.. anyone close should schedule an appointment to visit..   Friday, June 27 View Page Andy has his soil jacked up to the max... expecting something.. big this year.. I am thinking BIG.. look what his compost grows... weird. We were thinking about sampling this one a burger but thought we may be taking a trip without leaving the farm.. not sure whats in that soil of his..   Friday, June 27 View Page Its a great time of year.. I have some birds taking up residence in my birdhouse gourds..   Friday, June 27 View Page New growth is everywhere.. Andy has several Mulberry bushes on the edge of his patch.. we were enjoying the day and checking them out looking for ripe ones.. and then we realized we were going "round and round that mulberry bush.. it was worth a laugh.. didn't see a monkey or a weasel. Good luck Pollinating everyone.. hopefully next entries can show some early sets.. PA Weather looks like it is turning pumpkin perfect.   Tuesday, July 15 View Page Pumpkin weather in PA has growth starting to ramp up. Most of my sets are a little late and fingers crossed that they have all taken.. I still have one to pollinate tomorrow which hopefully will be my last. I will post some pictures for my future reference as its hard to get excited about such young fruit.. I took some pictures of early pollinations and some 4 days apart.. it looks like they have taken. I am growing another of my 440 Sandercock's. I can expect a nice colored pumpkin.   Tuesday, July 15 View Page I finally am growing a Checkon 1381... I managed to not kill it this year.. I like the shape.   Tuesday, July 15 View Page 1381.... four days later.   Tuesday, July 15 View Page My 942 "Sofia" grows shapely orange pumpkins.. Love that 1495 Stelts x 1662 Stelts cross.   Tuesday, July 15 View Page Sofia... 4 days later.   Tuesday, July 15 View Page I found some "evil" shade structures to scare away any bad demons..   Tuesday, July 15 View Page This one is housing my 834.5 * Sandercock Squash.. I crossed it with the * 996 Haist   Tuesday, July 15 View Page I have been spending a lot of time at the Dyberry Patch guys place... I see his plan.. he invites me up and while he is grooming his patch.. it hit me that I am neglecting mine.. I have weeeeeeding to do !! Andy has the plants looking good. His 1317 Clements is anything but Tiny..   Tuesday, July 15 View Page The 1317 is the best prospect in our area..   Tuesday, July 15 View Page 1317 a little later... Andy grooming the sand thing.   Tuesday, July 15 View Page A few days later.... not Obie like.. but not bad for us NE PA guys.   Tuesday, July 15 View Page Here are some of the Dyberry patch growers club members... a fine place to BS.   Tuesday, July 15 View Page Our pollinations may be a little late but the force is with us... good luck all.. grow em big.   Wednesday, July 23 View Page Hazy hot and humid in NE PA. I see some touches of Powdery Mildew... "why did I plant zuchinni next to my pumpkins... so I can give them to Dyberry Patch guy and he doesnt have to plant any next to his?" Better order some more Eagle.. I'm all out. Overall the patch and pumpkins are looking pretty good in my world. Nothing OBIE like but I do have sets on all I think. Hoping the heat doesn't cause the squash to vomit.   Wednesday, July 23 View Page My 834.5 Squash under its canopy..   Wednesday, July 23 View Page The * 824 Brunst 05 is looking pretty green to me. It has more room to roam than my 834.5 so hoping for something good. The cross with the 996 Haist should be a good one.   Wednesday, July 23 View Page My lineup is unfolding as I put these pics on.. The 1544 Revier looks like it will be an orange one.   Wednesday, July 23 View Page The 1532 Rose has a nice shape but thought it may have a more yellow color.. time will tell.   Wednesday, July 23 View Page Dont tell Dyberry or Flyboy TC but I am putting some old rain barrells to work this year.. they do a good job getting some drench work done..   Wednesday, July 23 View Page Guess I forgot to take a pic of Sophia my 942.5 she is looking good and hope her orange tint comes out soon.. My 2 biggest at the moment are my 1381 Checkon.. medium sized plant. Hope to make Larry and Gerry proud with this one.   Wednesday, July 23 View Page ..and another good looking pumpkin on my 440 Sandercock. I squeezed the 440 and the 1544 Revier close together so some creating pruning is in order.. The 440 has great shape and looks like it will be another orange one. Good luck all.. our Wednesday night supper club at the Dyberry Patch is on tonight so should have some updates soon.   Wednesday, July 23 View Page Found the pic of my 942... sofia.. might as well keep the photos current.   Wednesday, July 23 View Page The bees were having their breakfast this morning... munching on a beautiful 6 lober on the 834.5 squash. They can have it.. I am done pollinating. Off to the Dyberry Giant Pumpkin Growers Wednesday night dinner.   Wednesday, August 6 View Page Its been a while so I best post some pics to keep myself updated. Overall the patch is looking ok. It could have used more rain as i have failed to get working on my watering system. I have used the hose when needed but the storms hitting other areas seem to have missed Honesdale. As a result the plants aren't nearly the size they should be and I am afraid the pumpkins won't reach their true potential.. maybe I can pump them up for the home stretch. All plants seem to have quit growth on their own as I have not needed to terminate and bury hardly any vines. Here is a big portion of my home patch.   Wednesday, August 6 View Page I have a small section dedicated to my two squash plants. My 834.5 Sandercock and the 824 Brunst 05; Both fruit were pollinated with Dyberry Patch guys 996 Haist   Wednesday, August 6 View Page The 834.5 suffered some serious biting.. either a squirrel, rabbit, ground hog.. or Orange with Envy. I like the shape and color of this years 834. I see a lot of hats on fruit this year.. so here it goes with the hat on.   Wednesday, August 6 View Page The 824 Brunst turns 30 tomorrow.. no taping yet but it looks ok. The plant has more room than my other squash so it may be the winner at my place. I heard the 824 can throw marginal colored fruit.. so far so good with the coloring of this one.   Wednesday, August 6 View Page In the pumpkin world I have a mixed bag. Some good, some bad and some ugly on the way. One of the good ones is the 1544 Revier   Wednesday, August 6 View Page Another good is on my 440 Sandercock.. I like shape and color.   Wednesday, August 6 View Page One of the bad for me is my 942.5 Dont get me wrong I love the seed but it has developed a soft spot around the blossom and I don't know if it will make it. I spread a little Captan butter around it to dry.. so far so good but I have a bad feeling.   Wednesday, August 6 View Page On the ugly side... are two of my biggest so who can complain.. Nothing wrong with a fat bottomed girl. The 1381 Checkon.. isn't as bad as the next one. I sort of like this shape. And I think they like to weigh heavy.   Wednesday, August 6 View Page So I have done it again... to many plants squeezed in and not allowing them to get big. I will never learn. Here is a round hound for sure.. the 1532 Rose is rolling right over on itself.. this is going to have an interesting shape if it makes it to the finish line. I can barely check the blossom end now.   Wednesday, August 6 View Page For early August I am happy with my fruit size.. I see I have some pics of my last tour at Dyberry Patch's that I did not post. Andy's patch is filling in nicely.. and his main patch.. has huge leaves.. huge vines.. and I bet we can expect something big. Fingers crossed.   Wednesday, August 6 View Page There are some nice colored Slungers hiding in the jungle.   Wednesday, August 6 View Page Andy taping out Tiny.. the Bubba Challenge 1317. This seed seems to have a lot of big ones out there this year. I too have one growing at my moms house and at day 20 is looking good.. Andy's looks amazing and one of the brighter yellow 1317's I have seen... * Note: These pics are a week or so old.. Good luck Drew.. keep it going. With a big orange pumpkin and growing a 996 Haist.. this Dyberry guy could be looking at that Double Enchilada Award..   Saturday, August 16 View Page We had another good Wednesday nite supper club at the Dyberry Patch mans place. I know he threw out there for any Bethel/Woodstock weigh off travelers to feel free to camp and have a patch tour, pumpkin chat, pre weigh off music fest at his place. Its a nice spot to relax.. the patch is filling up with some nice looking fruit. We are hoping some growers will take him up on the offer.   Saturday, August 16 View Page Behind the Pavillion is a watering source for the old boy as well as a growers cooling down area... beautiful.   Saturday, August 16 View Page There are two patches at this Dyberry spot. One gets little attention and has pumpkins for genetics and hopefully to be sold. (This patch more closely resembles my patch.. I think the little attention is the key). Andy has 2 of his 816 Box's growing on one plant. The interesting thing is these 2 were pollinated the same day. One would think that the closest one to the stump would have first shot to suck up the nutrients.. but not the case.   Saturday, August 16 View Page Things have been cold and very dry in our part of the state. We finally got some rain with a 1.5 inch soaking afternoon. Even after all that rain the ground remains dry. It is amazing how the huge leaves on these plants act as umbrellas and force the rain to the root system.   Saturday, August 16 View Page In Dybberry Patch's main site you can see that his hard work is paying off. The plants are healthy and root system amazing. He has a contender for the biggest stump award on the 996 Haist. The main vine and secondary's are some of the biggest I have ever seen.   Saturday, August 16 View Page In keeping with tradition Andy asked me to come up and inspect his squash this year. As always I had to slip on the Green jacket that I cherish from our visit to Niagara back in 2010. I am not sure who hung it on my door and surprised me but I sure appreciate the gesture guys.. Andy's 996 looks good to me at this point. The plant does have some vine issues so we are hoping it keeps on keeping on.   Saturday, August 16 View Page Dyberry has a good one going on the 2009 Wallace..   Saturday, August 16 View Page A better one on the 1634 Werner... a bright shade of orange as well.   Saturday, August 16 View Page and then there is Tiny..... looking good.. I think I stumbled on a sand bag somewhere in the patch.. It is pushing above the canopy. A beauty Drew.   Saturday, August 16 View Page The wednesday nite supper deal is a family affair.. Andy has his brother Tom helping with a measuring job on Big Tiny..   Saturday, August 16 View Page another measurement... The 1317 is a thing of beauty. Lets hope the warmer weather in the forecast keeps this one rolling along.   Saturday, August 16 View Page All tucked in for the night on these cold evenings... it supposed to be the middle of August but it feels like the middle of September or later..   Saturday, August 16 View Page Saturdays are measuring days at my home patch... I should have skipped it. The cold night time temps have my gains on the less than impressive side. This is a frustrating hobby.   Saturday, August 16 View Page Squash alley has small gains as well.. the only good news is both my 834.5 Sandercock and the 824 Brunst are maintaining a nice green color.   Saturday, August 16 View Page LOL.... wrong photo Ned.. that was to be the grand finale Pic. I wanted to thank the Colorado Growers for sending me the Rocky Mtn Oyster- Squash seeds.. I finally got one to germinate.. Here is a selfie of one that I picked. awesome shape on this one.   Saturday, August 16 View Page This is squash alley showing the green colors.   Saturday, August 16 View Page I lost my 942 Sofia to a blossom end plug problem that rotted. I am lucky that on June 6th I put in my last backup plant to squeeze in somewhere. It was an extra 440 Sandercock. I am now letting the vine go into the area where the 942 was. I had a very late set on one that I planned to grow for color and sell. This little guy is taking off and around the 150 pound mark now. Its a pretty one.   Wednesday, August 27 View Page I took a ride to my second patch at my moms to check the progress... bottom line is they do better when I stay away and let my mom do the watering. :) Some nice flowers on the way in.   Wednesday, August 27 View Page I should know what they are but can't think of it at the moment.. but they are in full bloom. The weather in NE PA has turned more summer like. The grass is growing again and maybe the pumpkins will to. Who knows.   Wednesday, August 27 View Page Unlike my home patch I have my tanks and pump up and running in this smaller patch with my mom the Honorable Mayor of Bethany given full reign to water at will.. she is doing a great job and these plants are better looking than at my home site. I guess they do need water.   Wednesday, August 27 View Page I have 2 plants growing here this year.. My Bubba Challenge entry the 1317 Clementz and my 218 Sandercock. The 1317 has been given 3/4 of the patch in hopes of getting something big.. BUT I couldn't cull one on a secondary and have decided to let it grow. I need to check with Bubba on the rules of this contest because if I add the 2 together I may have a decent number. I know there is a grower from Dyberry who has a good one going on his 1317 but mine are younger and looking ok to me.. with some fuzzy math and counting both of their weights I may be able to compete. Here is the 1317 on a secondary..   Wednesday, August 27 View Page Here is my best on the 1317.. It looks a lot whiter than Dyberrys 1317 and some of the others that I have seen posted. I guess it is taking on the color of the 2009 but the shape is there. Both fruit were set the same day and are only at day 44 so they are young and have a lot of growing to do... I HOPE. They may well turn out to be my biggest pumpkins this year. May the summer weather continue.   Wednesday, August 27 View Page My other pumpkin at my moms site is the 218. It always throws orange pumpkins and this one has the traditional shape that the 218 likes to put out. It has 4 NY HD awards to its credit and would like nothing more to get a PA one for this old school seeds resume. Maybe we will have one to challenge that Envious Orange guy this year if we make it to Altoona. She is looking good and only at day 42. You go girl !!   Friday, September 12 View Page Getting close to the first weigh off of the year. Bethel/Woodstock and the NYGPGA debut at the historic site. Andy "Dyberry Patch" has thrown out the invitation to stop by his place for a patch tour and pumpkin BS session for anyone wanting to stop on their way. There have been some reservations made but there still are a few vacancies available. Karl (NUB) and has sent a downpayment in but asked for a few pics of the sites available so he can decide which honeymoon suite he can have... I will post a few pics of whats left and show off the recreational possibilities to be had. The main lodge... "The Shasta"   Friday, September 12 View Page For the more adventerous..."the palomino"   Friday, September 12 View Page for the younger crowd... "the playhouse"   Friday, September 12 View Page the one we have earmarked for Karl... " the Tree House"   Friday, September 12 View Page A modern rest area... the ladies lounge.   Friday, September 12 View Page .... the gentlemans section.   Friday, September 12 View Page High speed rail slide..   Friday, September 12 View Page swing for the danger hunters..   Friday, September 12 View Page Honeymooners... resting area.   Friday, September 12 View Page white water rafting..   Friday, September 12 View Page Well you get the idea.. its a great spot to relax during the grueling days of pumpkin growing.. with Bethel Woods only 25 miles away this may become a destination vacation spot if the weigh off site becomes a popular one which we are betting it does. It is a fantastic place.. and Andy does have some good pumpkins this year... no sandbagging here.. it has been a good season and here is wishing the Dyberry Patch guy that they hold together for him. Here is the 1317 Clementz and from day one I predicted something big in this spot... It looks to me like " Bubba may just have a Challenge". Its a slunger. Stay tuned.   Thursday, September 18 View Page Weigh off season is here. We had a great time last weekend at the debut site for the NYSGPGA Bethel/Woodstock competition. Dyberry Patch and myself were also pleased that some of the growers stopped by on Saturday for a pregame patch tour and cook out. A good time was had by all. The weather wasn't the best but with pumpkin growing friends and reuniting who cares. Andy asked pumpkin growing legend Bill Bobier what he thought of the place.   Thursday, September 18 View Page Some big time growers were there.... Andy x 2 as Andy Wolf gave Andy Box some direction.   Thursday, September 18 View Page Bill let us in on a tip how he checks to see if the pollen is any good..   Thursday, September 18 View Page Dyberry and Bill checking out the orange beauty growing on the 1634 Werner..   Thursday, September 18 View Page Its a beauty... and shhhhhh still growing.   Thursday, September 18 View Page Squash Growing Legend Karl Haist made his appearance... Our junior grower TC tried to get some needed info out of him..   Thursday, September 18 View Page Karl brought a big pumpkin.. still not sure how it fit into his truck bed.   Thursday, September 18 View Page Alex McCracken "Pumpkin Jesus" stopped by for a campout.. good to see he made the effort..   Thursday, September 18 View Page We had to get a group shot next to Andy's 1317 Clementz.. Bubba Challenge Entry..   Thursday, September 18 View Page Trucks were loaded and ready for Bethel..   Thursday, September 18 View Page I have a new toy.. I figured the way to make my pumpkins look bigger was to buy a smaller truck.. works good.   Thursday, September 18 View Page Bethel didn't dissapoint. A beautiful place, a beautiful day with a nice lineup of some monster pumpkins. There were lots of venders.. good food and music. A tough combination to beat.   Thursday, September 18 View Page Big pumpkins showed up as well for the early weigh off..   Thursday, September 18 View Page Judge Bill Bobier.. made sure it was a level playing field and all fruit were sound.   Thursday, September 18 View Page Dyberry and Myself did battle with who would come in with the heaviest on our orange beauties.. Dyberry first..   Thursday, September 18 View Page My 440 to be weighed next... Ohhh Yeahhh.. bragging rights for the day.   Thursday, September 18 View Page A good crowd show up to watch the fruit being weighed. TC had a good time explaining pumpkin growing to some girls who knew nothing at all about pumpkin growing... it was a good match.   Thursday, September 18 View Page Good to see my ole pal "Rocky" there... still not growing again this year... come on Rock get in that garden.   Thursday, September 18 View Page Field Pumpkins were weighed and King Karl.. with a new State Record... Congratulations !~   Thursday, September 18 View Page Rich Vogler had a big Field pumpkin as well.. here are Rich and Karls behind the second place squash winner... a great colored green globe that Gary Adams entered.. Congrats Gary.   Thursday, September 18 View Page Andy Wolf with a nice shaped orange one.. like the number Andy..   Thursday, September 18 View Page It was time to get serious.. now for the big one.. time to get Karls ready for the scale.   Thursday, September 18 View Page King for the Day... Congrats Karl. A 1490 off of the Stelts 1495. Hell you only beat me by a 1000 pounds.. I will get you next year.   Thursday, September 18 View Page A good time had by all... and a Howard Dill award for me on my own 440 Sandercock seed. Keep em growing.